From 2000 to 2007, viewers tuned in to see its liveliest residents—lightning-tongued mother-daughter duo Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel)—bond over their emotions, ambitions and romantic entanglements. (Not to mention a mutual affinity for pop-culture references.) Now, fans can head back to the hamlet for Netflix’s hotly anticipated revival, Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, which will feature four 90-minute episodes, each taking place in a specific season. “My worry going into this was that it would feel different,” says Graham. “And it didn’t—in the best possible way.”

On the 16th anniversary of the show's premiere, watch this featurette about how the show's stars felt about the experience of making it ... and try not to tear up while watching it.

Of course, there is one major disruption to the status quo: Edward Herrmann, who famously portrayed family patriarch Richard, passed away in 2014. His death will be addressed in the reunion’s first installment, “Winter,” and usher in what’s to come for Lorelai, Rory and his widow, Emily (Kelly Bishop).

The action picks up a few months after Richard’s passing, as the women gather for a memorial, and emotions are running high. “His loss definitely creates more of an urgency around what all of them are going through,” Graham says.

The specifics of what, exactly, they’re going through remain carefully safeguarded, but as the gals muddle through, they’ll have plenty of company thanks to a slew of returning characters, including Lorelai’s on-off beau Luke (Scott Patterson), irrepressible town chef Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) and Rory’s trifecta of exes: Dean (Supernatural’s Jared Padalecki), Jess (This Is Us star Milo Ventimiglia) and Logan (The Good Wife’s Matt Czuchry).

“I would describe this journey as a lovely chance to check in,” says Bledel. “It’s like seeing old friends again.”

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, Premieres Friday, November. 25, Netflix.